Albino Alligator

source: Albino Alligator

With such an excellent cast, and actor/director, in his first ever directorial role, Kevin Spacey, i cant believe how unheard of this film is, it has an amazing cast with Faye Dunaway, Matt Dillon, Viggo Mortenson, William Fichtner, Skeet Ulrich, Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna, this would be a straight to cinemas hit! these days, a well established cast, of well known big screen names nowadays, and it's an awesome film, a classic Kevin Spacey-type pace film! i love it and would highly recommend it, esp if your paying £5.99 like i did! buy it or rent it you wont be dissatisfied. A pretty modern time day crime gem with some tiny flaws.

When a New Orleans robbery turns into a deadly pursuit, three crooks take refuge in a spacious basement bar and hold those inside hostage. The "Dino's" bar invaders are: handsome bad-boy Matt Dillon (as Dova), muscular psychotic William Fichtner (as Law) and quietly wounded Gary Sinise (as Milo). Of those unlucky enough to be in the bar on this eventful night, the biggest parts go to mouthy barmaid Faye Dunaway (as Janet), secretive businessman Viggo Mortensen (as Guy) and cute pool player Skeet Ulrich (as Danny). The drama was written by Christian Forte (son of 1950s "teen" celebrity Fabian) and directed by Kevin Spacey (the highly accomplished actor)... The term "Albino Alligator" is explained in the story and has some character parallels. This is an enjoyable directorial debut for Mr. Spacey. However, the actors appear to bounce around a lot, and a hidden rifle could have been handled better. Three big "secrets" are revealed - the most important could have been "introduced" along with the opening robbery, for maximum tension; let's anticipate that explosive confrontation. Of the other character relationships, one is a surprise and the other is not; neither adds anything by being held back. Also, the "hero" we're left with at the end would probably be unmasked in real life. But, this is the movies, and the story is engaging. ****** Albino Alligator (9/9/96) Kevin Spacey ~ Matt Dillon, Faye Dunaway, William Fichtner, Viggo Mortensen

Spoilers herein. This is not the Faye Dunaway of `Chinatown' or `Bonnie and Clyde,' or even `Network' who understood how to layer herself under another actor. This is not the Matt Dillon of `Mary' or even `McCools,' whose timing was inspired. This not the Sinise of `Snake Eyes,' who understood self-reference of the Reservoir' kind. This is not the Spacey of `Kahuna,' who instinctively knew how to weave a high energy ensemble. This isn't the Fichtner of `Go' who was able to fabricate his own world within that of the film. This is a dream that mistakes their identities while they sleep, just as the plot indicates. Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 4: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

Although it has been 2 years, I still remember the complete waste that comprises the entire plot of the movie. Unfortunately, I came across this movie after my friends and I selected it while browsing through the new releases at Blockbuster. We decided to pick the movie because it was the only one we all had not seen and it sounded like it may be enjoyable. Although it has been quite some time since I viewed the movie, I still remember the lack of plot (seriously, there is no true plot), and complete waste of time that was spent watching the movie. If you are in the video store and this film catches your eye, walk on and find a better movie. If you did end up seeing this movie, I understand your pain :)

I've seen most people rented this movie b/c of Kevin Spacey...truthfully, I rented it b/c of Gary Sinise. I've seen a lot of his stuff, and only one turned out to be a dud-Mission To Mars. I went to get Of Mice And Men and saw him on the cover of this movie and immediately grabbed it. This is one movie that kept me saying "What's gonna happen!?" "Who IS this guy?!" and random things to that nature. I think the plot is amazing. It took the second time watching it for me to really grasp what went wrong in the beginning. It has just the right amount of comedy relief as well. I think everyone has a 'great!' role and acts in it well! Dillon and Dunaway could have been more 'convincing' but all around, wonderful! I plan on buying this movie!

I gather that this neat little movie was loosely based on Humphrey Bogart's The Petrified Forest (1936), which I have never seen in its entirety. An oblique tribute to Bogart is made as the bar in which most of the movie takes place has an old Bogart cinema poster on its wall which features Key Largo (not The Petrified Forest). If there is any similarity between the two movies separated by sixty years it is mostly at the beginning and the bar-hostage situation which occupies about four-fifths of the film. However, Albino Alligator is not a remake of The Petrified Forest. In the Bogart film escaped convicts end up in a bar and terrorise its denizens. In Albino Alligator (referring to a type of pool shot derived from a legend about the alleged habit of alligators to sacrifice weaker members of their own group in order to trap and destroy their rivals) three men are running from the police after a botched warehouse burglary and end up in a basement dive in a pre-Diluvium New Orleans named Dino's Last Chance Bar; a one time basement speak easy which is just about to close for the night. They terrorise the barman , the middle-aged waitress-come do-it-all and the three customers though it is fairly apparent that they are amateur villains but for the one dangerous self-acknowledged sociopath. The Petrified Forest was criticised for being a bit too theatrical, not surprising as it was taken from a stage production. And that may also be true of Albino Alligator but one could say the same of the highly acclaimed Bus Stop starring Marilyn Monroe, in which all the action takes place at a Bus Stop-Coffee bar in Montana. The first ten minutes or so of Albino Alligator -where the burglary is botched in the most amateur way by setting of the warehouse alarms and the escape from the chasing police cars takes place - are basically irrelevant accept to explain why the men are forced to find refuge in the bar. The movie is mainly about the interaction among the burglars and between them and the bar denizens and outside between the local police chief , the FBI and an investigative woman TV reporter. Every character has a vital part to play in the unravelling tale. Nobody is quite what they seem at first sight. There are a few twists, quite well done, and it would be unfair to reveal them. Inevitably the cops arrive as unnoticed the barman has pressed a below counter alarm. But it is never explained how the cops knew exactly who they were seeking in the bar- the film's only flaw. Some of the best film actors alive today comprise the cast and perform wonderfully. The film has been criticised for its profuse use of foul language and violence by those who would prefer to watch Walt Disney movies but such criticism is laughable. This is the sort of film you either detest or love. I loved it. It was never destined to be a blockbuster. It seems the producer and actors didn't expect it to be one. It is the kind of movie actors love to be in and producers die to make but this what those brought up on Hollywood mush don't seem to understand. Some admiring American reviewers would describe it as a "European" style film .But few European films ever get this good. The whole setting and characters are purely American proving that America can make really good movies if the desire is there.

Albino Alligator saw Kevin Spacey play director for the first time. The film is your every day story of a bunch of criminals holding a bunch of people against their will. It's not very original; and it's not very good either, as while Spacey was casting the film, he seems to have forgotten to think of a point for it. Albino Alligator features a rather impressive cast list, which includes the likes of Faye Dunaway, Matt Dillon, Gary Sinise, Skeet Ulrich, Viggo Mortensen, William Fichtner and M. Emmet Walsh; but no Kevin Spacey himself, who spends the entire duration behind the camera. In fairness, Spacey's direction is assured enough, and he ensures that the film runs at a smooth pace all the way through. The majority of the film focuses on what is going on inside the bar that the thieves have hijacked, and this is offset by the police and media presence outside of it. However, rather than going down the road of Dog Day Afternoon, Albino Alligator keeps both of these sides of the story separate...and the result is a film that is more boring than it could have been. The acting is your typical 'heavyweight' stuff, but I can't say that it impressed me much. I was a bigger fan of Matt Damon before his role in the cheesy flick 'Crash'; but this is one of his 'miss' films. Faye Dunaway enjoys herself in her role, but doesn't impress with it. Gary Sinise and William Fichtner aren't given a lot to do, despite appearing for most of the running time. I liked Skeet Ulrich in Scream, but roles in films like this have ensured that he doesn't get noticed. Viggo Mortensen proved himself recently with an excellent performance in A History of Violence - but here he's simply "in the movie" and the only actor here that I like is The Simpsons' Fat Tony, M. Emmet Walsh, who is entertaining as a copper outside. He is rewarded in this respect with the film's best scene, which sees him swearing to a press reporter. It would seem that writer Christian Forte tried to fill in the gap where the point should be with an anecdote about albino alligators; but quite how this really figures in the plot is anyone's guess. The film doesn't even capitalise on the fact that it has a load of different characters stuck in a space together. On the whole; there is nothing to recommend this for.

With so much talent aboard this could have been great cinema. That it's not is due to an unsure screenplay, lacking in credibility, though not lacking in promise. The story in itself, if tightened up, could have been riveting. But despite the actor's efforts, "Albino Alligator" fails to deliver the goods. By the end (which in itself is powerful), one has become a bit tired of it all. Spacey was obviously drawn to the clear theatricality of much of the action taking place on one set, in effect on one stage. It's hence very talky and stagy, though Spacey is careful to keep the camera moving in interesting ways. The few outdoors scenes too are shot with great visual style. Combining a keen eye, together with his understanding of actors and acting, Spacey will probably at some point bring his directorial talents to fruition. Hopefully he will be more fortunate as far as a suitable screenplay is concerned. Matt Dillon in the lead does a fair job. As is often the case with him, he manages some moments of excellence, but on the whole is capable rather than brilliant. (He sustained an exceptional performance is the "Saint of Fort Washington" and surprised many with "Drugstore Cowboy".). It's as if there is a depth to him which he seems to have a lot of trouble reaching. There is a brief scene in "Albino Alligator" in which he talks to himself in a facing mirror. It's a moment which reveals those depths which so often seem to elude him. The other players do as well as one would expect. Gary Sinise is superb as Dillon's elder brother, William Fichtner is truly edgy and sinister and Faye Dunaway's bartender has a ring of truth to it. Despite all this talent and a story with possibilities, this is not one to seek out.

On the face of it, this should be a great film, a great cast, a plot with many possibilities and one of Hollywood's finest behind the camera for the first time. However, its clear why it was another 8 years before spacey decided to try directing a movie again. This movie fails on so many levels. In a film where there is not much action and most of the scenes are shot in a couple of locations, it is imperative that suspense and continuity are provided by the director. Not so here, the great cast is horribly under-used, none more so than the great, late John Spencer, the plot is so run of the mill and nothing you haven't seen in a hundred other TV movies. There is so little character development you end up not caring for any of the protagonists. At least we know spacey has a lot of mates and clout in Hollywood studios to get away with a poor flick like this